Falling out of love with my PM9

[wardog]

Bought a new Kahr PM9 a month or so ago. I've only taken it out a few times, but instead of it becoming more reliable it is becoming less.

The problem is the slide not fully going into battery. The recoil spring seems to get considerably weaker in the last 1/2 inch of travel as the slide goes forward. The first time I went shooting I used only CCI Blazer ammo. I had a few failures to go into battery. I blamed the newness of the gun and possibly the ammo. The manual did recommed a 200 round break in. Most of the failures occured with the extended mag, and usually happened on the last round in the mag.

This last trip to the range the gun worked great for the first 30-40 rounds or so. Corbon 115+P, Speer Gold Dot 124+P, and Federal American Eagle FMJ. Then, after about 40 rounds (of Fed AE) as the gun started to get dirty, many failures to go completely into battery. Sometimes just a hair out of battery, not enough to disable the trigger, so the gun would still fire. This doesn't seem to be a problem when the gun is squeaky clean and lubed, but it seems after just a few rounds the combination of the spring tension being weak as the action is almost closed combined with the some minor fouling is causing this problem.


Anyway, I have fired about 400 rounds through the gun. Anyone else have this problem? Is Fed AE simply really dirty ammo? Should I keep going with more rounds, or send it back to Kahr?

Thanks.

 

[Night Guy]

I've got slightly higher round count (~500) through my PM9 and have never experienced the problem you describe. If anything, mine has loosened up a bit and goes fully into battery easier than it did during the first few hundred rounds. I've only shot about 75 +P rounds through it, with WWB fodder accounting for the rest. I use both magazines equally. I shoot a bit more than 100 rounds through it during each session and clean the gun as soon as I get home. I hardly consider my guns dirty after so few rounds during a session. It sounds to me like you may want to try a few other ammo loads to see if the problem persists. None of this is very useful to you, other than as an example that yours may be an exception to an otherwise superior product.

If your problem still exists you may want to call Kahr, but I'll defer to the greater THR populace for further assistance. I hear they're pretty good about responding to phone calls, though no so hot with email.

 

[Preacherman]

Sounds to me like either a spring problem, or burring on the slide/frame interface causing additional friction. If it's springs, they shouldn't be giving trouble in a new gun. If it's friction, that shouldn't be there either.

I'd suggest calling Kahr and asking their tech support people for advice. They'll probably have you send the gun in for inspection and repair.

 

[mini14jac]

Just for kicks, I would spend $10 at Walmat for a box of Winchester value pack ammo.
I've shot nearly 1000 rounds of it, and never had the problem you describe.

I think I've fired some UMC, and some of the +P Gold Dots that you're shooting, but mainly it's been the Win. White Box.
(Never had a problem with any of the other ammo either.)

I think you should give it one more good cleaning, wipe a little synthetic grease on the rails, and try the Winchester.
Then you've done everything you could possibly do to isolate the problem.
If it still does it with Winchester ammo, I'd call Kahr.
They may send you new springs for free.

One question:
Is this happening while shooting, or only when chambering the first round?
With these pocket pistols, (I've got several) a different technique is required to chamber the first round.

 

[Obiwan]

Even the techs at Kahr admit that their polymer framed pistols have been problematic...those that have had no problems...be happy!

If you are through the break in period..which you are...and are unhappy...I would call them.

Weapons that are not dependable are pretty much useless (IMHO)

No matter what the reason....(short of bad ammo)

 

[gbelleh]

My PM9 did not go fully into battery with 2 rounds of Hydra-Shoks during the first 100 rounds (a slight tap on the back of the slide fixed it in both cases), but since then it's been perfect. I have approx. 900 rounds through mine now.

I would check very carefully for any burrs or unusual wear that may be causing a problem. It sounds like it may need a trip to Kahr.

Mine has fed and fired lots of Am Eagle just fine. Also Win White box and PMC. The only thing it's ever had a problem with were those 2 rounds of Hydra-Shoks.

 

[wardog]

Thanks for the input.

Think I'll take it to my dealer and see what he thinks.

One thing I didn't mention. When the slide is locked back, you can move the guide rod up and down about 1/4 or more. That doesn't seem right to me.